Blaze destroys trailer hauling dragster, tools

HERMON – A state fire investigator was in Levant Monday looking at what caused a trailer hauling a dragster and four-wheeler to burn the day before.

The fire occurred as owner Mac Beckwith was returning to his home in Levant from the Winterport Dragway at about 7 p.m., Hermon Fire Chief Larry Willis said Monday.

While driving on the Wing Road in Hermon, something inside the trailer ignited and burned everything inside, Willis said.

Beckwith had the presence of mind to pull over by a driveway, about 100 feet from the Fuller Road, and detach the trailer from his pickup truck, the fire chief said. He moved the pickup truck to safety.

An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in on Monday to investigate. Willis said the fire didn’t appear suspicious, but they wanted to use the expertise of the Fire Marshal’s Office to determine a specific cause.

The fire chief estimated damage, including the loss of tools in the trailer, at about $25,000.